Latest news with #DickCampbell
Scotsman
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scotland's not-so-serious football awards - including Scott McTominay, Dick Campbell and Cristiano Ronaldo
Our chief football writer dishes out the end-of-season gongs Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Scottish football season is officially over so that means it's time to hand out my awards for the 2024/25 campaign. So without further ado ... Best Post-Match Interview: Dick Campbell It's Dick Campbell's world, and we are all just living in it. The legendary manager added another promotion to his CV when taking East Fife into the third tier but was at the centre of a commotion after the first leg of the play-off final against Annan after being sent to the stand, not for the first time in his career. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Understandably, Dick was far from happy. He was shown two yellow cards in close succession by referee Ross Hardie, the second of which he claimed was as a result of him throwing 'ma bunnet doon' in exasperation following a decision. It was something, he later clarified, that he often does when talking to his wife, so he couldn't see what the big deal was. 'They're all watching me,' he said in an interview with East Fife TV. 'It's no' The Dick Campbell Show!' Sorry, but we respectfully take issue with this. It is The Dick Campbell Show. And it's coming soon to a League One ground near you. East Fife manager Dick Campbell and his famous bunnet. | SNS Group The Fashionably Late Manager of the Year Award: David Martindale Selecting a manager of the year weeks before the end of the season is the ultimate hostage to fortune scenario. It's what happens for the PFA Scotland award and it's what happens for the Scottish Footballl Writers' Association award, with the choice of candidate required to be submitted – certainly in the case of the latter – by near the beginning of May. I plumped for Brendan Rodgers, a reasonably sound choice I maintain. Of course, the sheen has been taken off Celtic's season somewhat after Saturday's Scottish Cup final defeat by Aberdeen. But had the vote deadline been now? Well, Jimmy Thelin, the Pittodrie manager, would certainly be in with a shout. David Martindale, meanwhile, has certainly put the cat among the pigeons. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What a job he has done in getting Livingston promoted via a stunning comeback victory against Ross County in Dingwall. In addition, there's the rout of Queen's Park to win the SPFL Trust Trophy final to consider as well. Dundee, Motherwell and even Rangers are still looking for a manager… Although it does feel like Livi just seem to just fit for Martindale. And with Calvin Ford, Henry Ford's great-great grandson, now at the helm of the club, who knows what might lie in store? David Martindale has guided Livingston back to the Premiership. | SNS Group The Gwyneth Paltrow Sliding Doors Award Because, of course, this concept didn't exist until the 1998 film starring said actress. But if they were to make a film about a seemingly inconsequential moment that turns out having a major impact on future outcomes, well, the storyline line would hinge on a goalmouth scramble at Easter Road rather than whether someone does or does not board a train at a London tube station. Who knows what might have happened had Rocky Bushiri failed to get a shin to the ball in the sixth minute of added time to secure a crazy 3-3 draw for Hibs against Aberdeen (three goals were scored after the 90th minute). A Sack the Board banner can clearly be seen behind the goal in front of the Famous Five Stand where Bushiri bundled home, which helps convey the unrest at Easter Road at the time. Having just been hammered 4-1 by Dundee, manager David Gray was teetering on the precipice. Many expected him to be sacked after Dens Park but the Hibs board – and maybe they deserve an award too – gave the club hero more time. And who is it leading Hibs into Europe next season after a third-place finish? Gray, of course. But would he have survived another loss in that Aberdeen game on a Tuesday night in November? They should make a film about it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Runner-Up: Hearts defender Michael Steinwender's red card shortly before half-time for a mistimed last-ditch tackle on Aberdeen's Topi Keskinen in the Scottish Cup semi-final. Neither side had been overly impressive by that point but what might have been the outcome if Hearts kept 11 men on the pitch? Neil Critchley, who was sacked seven days later, is among those who'd like to know. Hibs head coach David Gray. | SNS Group Biggest Let-Down A packed Hampden, a 1-0 first-leg advantage, a team seemingly redeemed and renewed following the Euro 2024 debacle and a manager walking tall again. Of course, we should have expected what was coming but it still felt somewhat dismaying to watch Greece, including a 17-year-old making his full debut, proceed to run rings around Scotland in this Nations League play-off second leg. Admittedly, Konstantinos Karetsas was immense – the teenager would be in contention for a best individual performance award that I have seen with my own eyes this season. Scotland couldn't have many complaints about being relegated to League B but it was frustrating nonetheless given the way Steve Clarke and his side managed to reconnect with the fans in the Autumn when performing well in a series of games against Poland, Croatia and Portugal. Speaking of which. Greece defeated Scotland at Hampden. | SNS Group Best 'Look At Me' Hissy Fit: Ronaldo What an occasion it was set to be. One of the greatest-ever players strutting their stuff at Hampden for the first-ever time. Feel the star quality, see the pecs. Except he didn't give anyone the chance to see those pecs. He had flounced off before he'd even had time to whip off his top. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While he showed flashes of his obvious genius, the then 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo left a bit of a sour taste in the mouth with his antics after the goalless draw. With Portugal denied the opportunity to take a late corner due to the referee blowing his final whistle, Ronaldo exited the scene in a huff as opposed to shaking the hands of the opponents and perhaps acknowledging the crowd, the way a football great might be expected to do. Luka Modric bade a far classier farewell to Hampden a few weeks later, even though the Croatian midfielder was digesting the disappointment of a 1-0 defeat. To be fair to Ronaldo, there were some reports of him signing autographs out of the window of the car ferrying him from Hampden when it came to a stop at traffic lights. Cristiano Ronaldo showed petulance at Hampden. | SNS Group The 'Where did it all go wrong?' award: Scott McTominay Jim Ratcliffe ought to be weeping into one of his Dyson hoover bags. What were Manchester United thinking? Scott McTominay could be drawing out the agony of a long, hopeless season at Old Trafford on a deathless close-season tour of Asia, which, the club's website states, is 'presented by Snapdragon'. Instead, he's on an open-topped bus in Naples wearing a blue bandana and puffing on a cigarette while slugging from a bottle of Tennent's Super Lager. He's just been named the best player in Italy and pretty much won Serie A for his side by scoring a bicycle kick. McTominay's a walking – well, currently swaying – repudiation of the notion that the only way is down after leaving Manchester United, although he isn't the only one disproving that now absurd contention. But what a season it has been for the one now known as 'McFratm'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scott McTominay has been a revelation at Napoli. | Getty Images The Football, Bloody Hell! Award There's been several contenders for this, including a few in the last few days. McTominay's acrobatic goal to help clinch the Serie A title for Napoli against Cagliari is one. As recently as this Monday night, football's capacity to confound was underlined when I went out to play fives with Ross County having all but confirmed their place in the top flight, only to return to find Livingston had mugged them 4-2 on their own patch with about three goal-of-the-season contenders. And then what about Saturday? One of the ultimate football, bloody hell! moments, surely. Celtic might not have been on song, but they were still grinding their way to another treble until keeper Kasper Schmeichel took his eye off the ball.
Powys County Times
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
East Fife promoted to Scottish League One by seeing off Annan in play-off final
East Fife secured promotion to Scottish League One after a 1-1 draw at Annan clinched them a 4-3 aggregate win in their two-legged play-off final. Dick Campbell's Fifers, who won the first leg 3-2 on Tuesday night at Bayview Stadium, fell behind on the night to an early opener from Tommy Goss, but Adam Laaref's first-half equaliser proved decisive. Annan, without suspended pair Scott Hooper and Layton Bisland after they were both sent off in the first leg, made a flying start at Galabank as Goss headed home Ryan Muir's cross to put them 1-0 up in the sixth minute. The Fifers restored their aggregate advantage in the 37th minute when Annan goalkeeper Jamie Smith failed to gather a free-kick into the box and Laaref fired the loose ball into the top corner. Laaref struck a post with an angled shot three minutes later, while East Fife goalkeeper Liam McFarlane made several crucial second-half saves and Muir hooked a golden chance for Annan in stoppage time over the crossbar.
The Courier
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Dick Campbell dugout ban decision revealed ahead of East Fife's play-off final showdown
Dick Campbell has been cleared to lead East Fife into their League One play-off final decider, despite his red card in the first-leg against Annan Athletic. The Bayview boss has instead been hit with a Scottish FA notice of complaint and faces a disciplinary hearing during the close-season. Campbell was initially shown a yellow card in the closing stages of Tuesday's 3-2 victory in Methil. The 71-year-old later claimed referee Ross Hardie had taken umbrage at him throwing his 'bunnet' down when angered by a decision. Just seconds later, as he continued to remonstrate with the whistler and appeared to encroach onto the playing surface, Campbell was sent to the stand. The Fifers manager said after the game he expected to be banned from the dugout for Friday's second-leg at Galabank. However, Courier Sport has learned Campbell will not be suspended from the touchline for the showdown as he bids to steer his team to promotion to take the place of Annan in League One. That means he will also be able to deliver his pre-match messages in the dressing room, as well as take part in any immediate post-match celebrations should East Fife hang on to their slender advantage. Instead, due to previous misdemeanours, Campbell will face a June 5 hearing to determine his punishment. He has been accused of breaching the SFA's disciplinary rule 203, which states that 'no member of team staff shall commit misconduct at a match' and carries a lower-end censure of a two-match suspension. If found guilty, any subsequent ban will be applied to the start of next season.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
East Fife edge play-off first leg as Annan end with nine men
East Fife will take a narrow advantage into the Scottish League 1 Play-off final second leg after edging a five-goal thriller against Annan Athletic visitors who ended the game with nine hosts led through Alan Trouten and Andy Munro, but Annan drew level through an Michael McKenna own goal and an Aiden Smith header before Munro snatched his second of the night to secure the then, Annan's Scott Hooper and Leyton Bisland, along with East Fife manager Dick Campbell, had been shown red League 2 runners-up started brightly and, within five minutes, veteran top scorer Trouten was on hand to fire home from the rebound after Nathan Austin's effort was blocked by goalkeeper Jamie the half hour, centre-half Munro bulleted in a header from close range from McKenna's floated an early change by replacing Ryan Muir with Mackenzie Strachan paid off for Annan when veteran Paul McGowan's cross was skewed into his own goal by visitors, who finished second bottom of League 1, were level four minutes into the second half through striker Smith's glancing header from a defender Hooper was sent off with 20 minutes remaining for wiping out substitute striker Robert Jones and Munro added to the visitors' pain by firing home from close drama continued with Campbell sent to the stand for throwing his hat to the ground after disputing a refereeing decision and right-back Bisland was shown a second yellow card within three minutes of coming on as a had an effort blocked on the goalline in stoppage time as Annan kept the disadvantage to one goal ahead of their home second leg on Friday, once again being shown live on BBC Alba.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Annan set for televised play-off final showdown
Annan Athletic are preparing for the first leg of their televised play-off final tonight as they bid to stay in Scottish League One. Wullie Gibson's side head to East Fife for the first encounter in a double-header that will decide their status. Annan overcame Elgin City in the semi-final and now face Dick Campbell's Fifers at the Bayview Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm) before the second leg at Galabank on Friday. Annan, who finished ninth in League One, must overcome the side who came second in League Two in order to hold onto their third-tier place for a third consecutive season. The game will be shown live on BBC Alba. Gibson's side secured a 5-4 aggregate win over Elgin in the semi-finals, winning 4-2 in the away leg before a 2-1 defeat at home. East Fife, meanwhile, staged a comeback to overcome Edinburgh City, losing the first leg 1-0 but hitting back with a 3-0 home win to prevail 3-1 on aggregate. Campbell's side compiled a strong home record in the fourth tier, winning 13, drawing three and lowing two at Bayview during the 2024/25 campaign. On the road in League One, Annan won four, drew two and lost 12. Ahead of the game, the Galabankies have paid tribute to their supporters' club for their backing for the East Fife double-header. Veteran former Arbroath boss Dick Campbell is in charge of East Fife (Image: Andrew Milligan / PA) "The club would like to thank the Supporters Club for their continued support," announced Annan. "The Supporters Club are sponsoring the cost of the team bus to East Fife on Tuesday night. "Additionally, they're also buying a ticket for every Supporters Club member for Friday night's match." Player-boss Gibson, speaking to his club's official channels, said: "We've got two games to save our League One status and we'll be going at it to try and do so. "Hopefully we'll go there and get a positive result to bring back here on Friday night." East Fife's veteran boss Campbell added: "I'm not worried about anybody. We'll see what's in front of us."
